Mark your calendars! The second annual History Affiliates Awards Luncheon will be held on October 25, 2013 at the Union League of Philadelphia.

I had a blast at last year's awards program, celebrating the achievements of all-volunteer, small, and mid-sized history and heritage organizations in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. It was fun to schmooze with friends in the history community, bask in the super-deluxe surroundings of the Union League, and congratulate the three HCI-PSAR participants who took home prizes in 2012. Not to play favorites, but I hope even more HCI-PSAR participants will be HIP Awards winners this year!

Nominations are now open for excellence in the following areas (with sub-groups within each based on organization size: all-volunteer, small, and mid-sized):

• Educational and Public Programs
• Stewardship, Care or Interpretation of Historic Structures, Museum and Archival Collections
• Partnership Projects
• Volunteer of the Year

More information about the awards categories is available here. When you're ready to submit your nomination, fill out the online application here. Nominations are due by May 17, 2013. If you have any questions, contact Prudence Haines, History Affiliates Program Director at 215-732-6200 ext. 243 or via email.